A deal was signed today between TotalEnergies Renewables Distributed Generation Middle East & Africa, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, and Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group to investigate opportunities to solarize assets throughout KEZAD’s industrial ecosystem. KEZAD is the integrated trade, logistics, and industrial hub of Abu Dhabi.
Solar installations are developed, financed, constructed, and run by TotalEnergies’ Renewables Distributed Generations for commercial and industrial clients. 500 MW of onsite business-to-business solar distributed generation projects from TotalEnergies are currently operational worldwide. Solar panels have been installed on more than 300 sites owned by its I&C clients worldwide.
TotalEnergies has been present in the UAE for over 80 years and as part of its ambition to produce more energy with less emissions, it is now developing solar projects for I&C customers in the country. The company is currently developing 100 MW of business-to-business solar power in the UAE.
KEZAD Group’s industrial ecosystem is well-positioned to generate significant benefits from TotalEnergies’ distributed solar solutions, which would enable the group to produce clean energy across its sites. KEZAD Group’s industrial ecosystem covers a total land area of 550 square kilometers, including 100 square kilometers designated as Free Zones, and is home to more than 1,750 investors.
Under the agreement, each partner will contribute its best-in-class expertise and technologies to conduct a series of feasibility studies for distributed solar generation at KEZAD, covering economic, commercial, regulatory, and technical aspects. The agreement aims to fully utilize solarization across the built assets of the KEZAD Group, which currently total more than 400,000 square meters.
Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer – Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group, said, “At KEZAD Group, we are committed to developing world-class industrial infrastructure in line with the vision of our wise leadership, which today places solar energy at the centre of its energy transition strategy. Through our collaboration with TotalEnergies, we are keen to realise the complete potential of distributed solar generation across our integrated ecosystem at KEZAD Group, and to enhance the value proposition we can offer to our investors while supporting Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s sustainability goals.”
Hamady Sy, Managing Director TotalEnergies Renewables Distributed Generation Middle East and Africa, said, “This agreement is in line with our strategy to develop renewable energy and provide our partners and customers with clean, reliable and affordable energy solutions. We are pleased to partner with KEZAD and AD Ports Group as this agreement is a steppingstone for many future opportunities. As a global multi-energy company, our goal is to contribute to the development of renewables in the UAE.”
In order to assist the larger UAE goal of having net-zero emissions by 2050, Abu Dhabi is accelerating the development of solar energy solutions at the same time as the agreement. The emirate intends to install 5.6 gigawatts of solar PV capacity by 2026 and is now building the largest solar plant in the world, Al Dhafra, with a capacity of 2 gigawatts.
